CTIA's Largent: Smartphones—What a difference a year makes!

The wireless industry continues to evolve and innovate at a rapid pace and 2009 was no exception. Smart phones were the “it” device with nearly 41 million operating on carriers’ networks last year. The reason for their popularity is simple – convenience and choice.
Mobile devices are no longer solely used as a means to have a conversation while you’re on the move. They now allow you to access information anywhere and everywhere. Smart phones deliver broadband to the person and have improved and transformed the way we work and live.
Industries, such as healthcare and energy, are seeing dramatic increases in productivity, efficiency, and to their bottom-line thanks to cutting-edge mobile solutions. Wireless technology is improving business practices as the workplace evolves beyond the office and has revolutionized other industries whether it’s through smart phone applications tailored to remotely monitor a patient’s health to smart grid technology that helps to conserve energy.
While we are proud to be at the core of many solutions for other industries, no involvement made us more humble than what happened in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake in January. Within seven days, our customers sent more than $25 million to the American Red Cross via text message donations. When CTIA initiated mobile giving through our Text 2HELP program with the American Red Cross in 2005, we believed that smaller donations and the simplicity of sending a text message to donate money on-the-go and having it appear on their billing statements would lead to a greater adoption rate. While I’d like to say we anticipated your generosity, we were overwhelmed. The industry is honored to provide texting as a way for consumers to lend their support and we are proud to have such philanthropic customers.
It is for these kinds of innovations and genius that has caused America’s appetite for smart phones and mobile broadband services to increase at a rapid pace. The wireless ecosystem – comprised of the network providers, device manufacturers, carriers, and application and content developers – is fueled by consumers.
Despite the challenging economic situation, we have continued to innovate and invest billions of dollars to satisfy consumers’ demand for the newest the wireless industry has to offer. By the end of 2009, there were more than 100,000 apps available from seven different stores and platforms. There were more than 3 billion downloads and mobile apps revenue was $34 million in 2009.
In this fiercely competitive wireless industry where every level of the ecosystem is fighting over each customer, today’s smart phone users win as they choose from a variety of providers, devices, service plans, and content and applications.
So what do we have to look forward to in 2010 and in the near future? I think the sky’s the limit. We are bound only by our imaginations and even then, if the devices and apps are any indication, it seems to know no boundaries.
I believe one area of increased involvement will be regarding “green” initiatives due to the tremendous efficiencies the wireless industry provides. Right now, there are thousands of companies around the nation – and world – that have been able to improve their operations and reduce their environmental burdens by receiving orders and payments or manage and route their fleets (from buses to garbage trucks to farm equipment) using smart phones and wireless technology.
CTIA and the wireless industry believes this will be another exciting year for us and more importantly, for our customers.